The Columbus Division of Police requested the most investigations from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation into shootings involving officers of any law enforcement agency in 2023, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
BCI was asked to look into 11 incidents involving Columbus police last year. Canton Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol tied for the second most investigations, asking BCI for help with three incidents each.
Ohio law enforcement has jurisdiction to investigate their own officers' conduct in use-of-force situations, but many departments ask BCI to conduct an independent investigation, the Attorney General’s Office said.
Overall, BCI investigated 58 officer-involved critical incidents across the state in 2023, which was one less than the previous year. Officer-involved critical incidents include when law enforcement fire their weapons at another person or use force against another person, or when an officer suffers a serious injury or death.
Of the 58 investigations, 34 are complete while the other 24 are ongoing.
The Attorney General’s Office said 40 law enforcement agencies submitted at least one request to BCI, including 13 sheriff’s offices. August was the busiest month for BCI investigations, when nine cases were opened in 24 days.
While several officers were shot, officials say no law enforcement officers died in exchanges of gunfire in 2023.
